What’s happening in Central Jersey: May 26 and later

Jacqueline Murekatete, an internationally recognized genocide survivor and human rights activist, spoke at Middlesex County College as part of Arts and Sciences Month in April. Born in Rwanda, Murekatete was 9 when she lost her parents, all six siblings and most of her extended family to the 1994 genocide. She spoke about her life, and she discussed the crime of genocide and other forms of mass atrocities in the world today. The lecture was sponsored by MCC’s Center for the Study of Genocide, Prejudice and the Holocaust. Before the lecture, she spoke with faculty and students. From left: Professor Terrence Corrigan, of the History and Social Science Department and director of the Holocaust Center; Murekatete; MCC students Rebecca Shaferman of Edison and Priya Singh of Edison; and Rob Giorgi of Fords, an MCC alumnus now attending Columbia University who is the alumni representative on the Holocaust Center Advisory Committee.(Photo: ~Courtesy of Middlesex County College)

Story Highlights

Republican Councilwoman Camille Ferraro Clark of East Brunswick has announced her candidacy for Assembly in Legislative District 18.

The Old Bridge Public Library will host two events in June to directly benefit the community.

If you want to lean English as a Second Language (ESL), Piscataway Public Library will be giving ESL Classes For Beginners.

Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites low-income residents to attend a resource event this week as part of National Community Action Month.

EAST BRUNSWICK

Clark announces Assembly candidacy

Republican Councilwoman Camille Ferraro Clark of East Brunswick has announced her candidacy for Assembly in Legislative District 18.

Former Assemblyman Pat Diegnan vacated the seat when he ascended to the state Senate to replace Peter Barnes, who left to accept a position as a Superior Court judge.

Clark is a graduate of Canisius College, Buffalo, New York, and moved to the Greater New York metropolitan area in 1972 to take employment with the United States Customs Service, now known as the Customs and Border Protection Service, Department of Homeland Security, from which she retired in early 2008. She moved to New Jersey with her family in 1984 and but for a few years since has lived in East Brunswick.

Clark ran for a Township Council seat in 2009. She was the first Republican to hold a Council seat in East Brunswick for eight years. Re-elected to office for two more terms (the first year was a contest for a one-year seat), Clark has sought to strike a balance between maintaining strong partisan ties and fostering cooperation among the various political segments in East Brunswick. She is a strong supporter of those persons who are clear in their goals and who support the ideals of the Republican Party.

Clark will be joined on the ticket by retired Judge Roger W. Daley, who is seeking the Senate seat vacated by Barnes and filled by Patrick Diegnan.

EAST BRUNSWICK

Club installs its executive officers

During the East Brunswick Women’s Club Installation dinner on Thursday, May 19, at Ponte Vecchio, their new slate of executive officers were installed.

Also at the state convention on Wednesday, May 4, at the Golden in Atlantic City, two of the club's members were given special honors for their dedication and hard work with the G.F.W.C. and the East Brunswick Women’s Club. Judy Olcsvay received the “Honon Roll” and Jean Battaglia received the “Order of the Lily.”

HIGHLAND PARK

View radio station memorabilia

Highland Park historian Jeanne Kolva has organized the Highland Park Public Library’s main hall display case with WCTC radio station memorabilia.

The display will be available from now until Thursday, June 30, at the Highland Park Public Library, 31 N. Fifth Ave.

Seventy years ago, a partnership was formed with WCTC and the Borough of Highland Park. In September of 1946, the Highland Board of Adjustments granted permission to the Chanticleer Broadcasting Company to construct both the WCTC antenna and transmitter, which still stands in Highland Park near the foot of South Fifth Avenue to the left of Donaldson Park.

Some of the items include antique microphones as well as the original Nixon resignation tape broadcast by the station in 1975, and photos of popular broadcasters, all lent by the radio station. The exhibit also includes music surveys from the 1960s and 1970s from Kolva's own collection. Kolva, a member of the Highland Park Historical Society, has written four books about Highland Park.

For more information about library exhibits, call 732-572-2750 or go visit www.hpplnj.org.

METUCHEN

Church holding free Community Dinner

First Presbyterian Church of Metuchen is holding Free Community Dinner events at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 31, and 5 p.m. Sunday, June 12, at its Social Center, next to the church building.

No reservations are required to attend the event. FPC has extended an invitation to everyone and welcomes anyone interested in a free home-cooked dinner and/or some fellowship at dinner.

“We are once again delighted to give back to our community by providing some delicious free home-cooked dinners to anyone who would like to come,” said the Rev. Ellen Clark Clémot, senior pastor of FPC, in a prepared statement. “Part of FPC’s ministry is to serve and support our community, knowing by faith that God has granted us all we need to serve faithfully. We seek to obey Jesus’ command to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.”

First Presbyterian Church of Metuchen is at 270 Woodbridge Ave. Contact FPC’s offices at 732-491-2300 or like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FPCMetuchen/.

OLD BRIDGE

Library is hosting two events in June

The Old Bridge Public Library will host two events in June to directly benefit the community.

In conjunction with AARP, the library will offer a Smart Driver Course from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 7, and Wednesday, June 8. Topics discussed will include: the effects of medication on driving; how to reduce driver distractions; proper use of safety belts, air bags, anti-lock brakes and new car technology; techniques for handling left turns, right-of-way and roundabouts, and how to adjust driving to compensate for age-related physical changes.

Participants must attend both sessions in order to successfully complete the course, and may be eligible to possibly reduce up to two points from their driving record and/or receive an auto insurance premium reduction. The class is open to drivers of all ages, and the fee, which will be collected at the door, is $20; $15 for AARP members. Cash, or checks payable to AARP, will be accepted. Registration is required by calling 732-721-5600, ext. 5033, or online at www.oldbridgelibrary.org/events.

In addition, there will be a Community Blood Drive sponsored by New Jersey Blood Services at the library’s main branch from 1 to 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday, June 15. Donors can walk-in or can make an appointment by calling 800-933-2566 or visit http://tinyurl.com/oblibrarydrive. To donate, people must be between 17 and 76 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds; 16-year-olds can donate with a parental consent form and those older than 76 can donate with a doctor’s note. People with diabetes and blood pressure controlled by medication can donate. Donors are encouraged to eat before coming, and to bring ID and proof of age.

The Old Bridge Public Library is at 1 Old Bridge Plaza, at the corner of Route 516 and Cottrell Road in the Municipal Center. More information about this and other library programs can be found at www.oldbridgelibrary.org or by calling 732-721-5600, ext. 5033.

PERTH AMBOY

Waterfront Arts Festival on May 28

The second annual Waterfront Arts Festival will take place from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 28.

The festival will feature art, music and food along Perth Amboy’s waterfront. In addition, in honor of Memorial Day, a ceremonial Black Hawk Helicopter flyover will precede the festival around at 11:55 a.m.

Art enthusiasts can choose from a variety of works of art including sculpture, painting, photography, woodcarvings, glass work, jewelry and more. The entertainment schedule features five different local and regional musical acts, including Latin sounds, rock, folk, jazz and acoustic music. The Perth Amboy Arts Festival’s performing arts stage offers an array of programs in dance and performance art.

A food court will feature more than a dozen local eateries and food trucks. The family-friendly festival will also feature free arts and crafts activities for children and community mural that everyone can participate in creating.

The Perth Amboy Waterfront Arts Festival is free. The organizers for the event are the Perth Amboy Department of Recreation, the Perth Amboy Business Improvement District (BID) and the Perth Amboy Arts Council.

Display and performance areas will be at Sadowski Parkway and High Street (GPS: 97 Sadowski Pkwy.).

"A garden that's alive is a much more interesting garden," Eckel said in a prepared statement. "A garden should have a variety of pollinators and creatures visiting, and anyone can make that happen by putting in native plants and creating little niches where wildlife can hide."

The presentation will help homeowners take their gardens to a higher level while doing more to help the environment.

"All we have to do is simply change the way we look at our gardens," she said. "For instance, instead of focusing on attracting a single creature, one can look at the garden as an environment where you're encouraging a large variety of butterflies and other pollinators by providing them with the necessary food, shelter and water. By doing so, you'll be rewarded with a beautiful variety of butterflies, birds and other wonderful creatures."

The cost for the workshop is $10. To register, call 908-237-4582.

The Dvoor Farm is at 111 Mine St. The producers’-only Farmers’ Market is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and features about 20 vendors offering local products, including vegetables, fruits, including strawberries, meats; cheeses, breads, honey and more.

SOMERVILLE

Spring 5K race to be held this month

Girls on the Run of Central New Jersey kicks off its annual spring 5K races of the season on Sunday, June 5, in Fair Haven, and June 19 in Somerville. Details and signup for the races can be found at http://www.gotrcnj.org/.

Girls on the Run of Central New Jersey (GOTRCNJ), offers a life-changing program for girls in grades 3 through 8. The GOTRCNJ program combines training for their celebratory 5K race with weekly program lessons to teach girls to become independent thinkers, gain problem-solving skills and make healthy decisions. These programs take place in both the spring and fall. Currently the GOTRCNJ program serves 1,600 girls at 55 site locations.

“It’s our goal to bring this transformational 10-week program to communities whose girls have few options for after school activities”, said Donna York, executive director of GOTRCNJ, in a prepared statement.

Girls on the Run of Central NJ is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, whose mission is to inspire girls in grades three through eight to make healthy decisions, become independent thinkers and gain problem solving skills. Girls meet twice a week in small teams throughout Camden, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean and Somerset counties to learn life skills through interactive lessons and running games. At each season's conclusion, the girls complete a celebratory 5K running event that gives them a tangible sense of achievement as well as a framework for setting and achieving life goals.

SOMERVILLE

Committee seeks award nominations

The Spirit of Somerset Awards Committee is currently seeking nominations for their annual Spirit of Somerset Awards, which will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 20, as part of a special “A Taste of Somerville” culinary extravaganza in downtown Somerville.

This fundraising event will benefit the Strengthening Families and Pathways to Parenting Programs at the Somerville-based nonprofit agency Somerset Treatment Services.

“We are once again very pleased to have the opportunity to honor the wonderful work of these deserving individuals, organizations and businesses that have represented the true spirit of Somerset County during the last year,” said Somerset Treatment Services Executive Director Barbara Schlichting in a prepared statement. “This event will feature an evening of gourmet foods and beverages, as well as showcasing the many downtown Somerville businesses.”

The Spirit of Somerset Awards program brings together representatives from the business, education, arts, health and nonprofit communities in a celebration of Somerset County’s many achievements. Previous awards have been given to an array of recipients since the program started in 1998, some of which have included the Affinity Federal Credit Union, Brook Arts Center, Business Partnership of Somerset County, Courier News, Fulton Bank, Johnson & Johnson Companies, Raritan Valley Community College, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital –Somerset, Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, Somerset County Vocational & Technical Schools, Somerset Patriots Baseball Club, sanofi-aventis, SSP Architectural Group, Suplee, Clooney, TD Bank and Team Capital Bank.

“There have been countless accomplishments that have happened throughout Somerset County’s 21 municipalities over the last year and we are hoping that county residents and businesses will take the time to nominate deserving candidates for this distinguished honor,” said Spirit of Somerset Awards co-chair Ron Skobo in the statement.

Award nominations are being sought in the categories of Athletics/Recreation, Business, Civic Improvement, Cultural Arts/Historic Preservation, Education, Government Service, Health/Wellness, Senior Services and Youth Services. A new John Graf Memorial Award category for Outstanding Philanthropic Service to the Community has been added. Anyone wishing to nominate an individual, organization or business can send a 250- to 500-word statement along with the nominee’s name, address and contact phone number to the Spirit of Somerset Awards Committee before Wednesday, June 1. Nominations should be mailed to: Barbara Schlichting, Somerset Treatment Services, 118 West End Ave., Somerville, NJ 08876.

Tickets for the Tuesday, Sept. 20, fundraiser will include a 5 p.m. cocktail reception, 6 p.m. awards program and a 7 to 9 p.m. tasting of gourmet foods throughout the restaurants in Somerville. Tickets for the event are $75 with reservations available by contacting the Somerset Treatment Services office at 908-722-1232,or emailing your name, address and phone number to barbsts@aol.com.

TEWKSBURY

Volunteers are being sought

Mane Stream (formerly Somerset Hills Handicapped Riding Center), located in the Oldwick section of the township, is seeking new volunteers to provide support with Equine Assisted Activities for individuals with disabilities.

Volunteers age 14 or older are needed to groom and tack the horses and assist riders and clients during group lessons and therapy sessions. Training of volunteers is a two-step procedure involving a 1½-hour orientation followed by a 3½-hour training session. The orientation will provide an overview of the programs offered by Mane Stream and will explain the responsibilities of a Mane Stream volunteer.

The follow-up training session will provide a closer look at horse behavior and will involve hands-on practice of the skills introduced at orientation. Attendance at one orientation and one follow-up training session is mandatory prior to becoming a Mane Stream volunteer. Orientations and training will be offered prior to each riding session, with a maximum of 12 to 16 spaces available for each training session. Trainings fill quickly, so it’s important to register as soon as possible. Volunteers who wish to help with Mane Stream’s summer day camp must also attend a special camp training of two hours.

The summer session runs Monday, June 20, to Friday, Aug. 19, and beyond. One orientation and then one training session must be attended before becoming a Mane Stream volunteer for adaptive riding lessons or equine assisted therapy sessions. Registration is required for orientation, general training sessions and camp training sessions. Prior experience with horses is not necessary in order to become a volunteer. A Volunteer Training Manual and review quiz are available on the website at www.manestreamnj.org and should be reviewed prior to attending an orientation.

Other volunteer opportunities are available throughout the year from Monday through Saturday.

For more information orientation and training session schedules, or to register, contact Sarah Andrews at 908-439-9636 or volunteer@manestreamnj.org.

UNION COUNTY

Open house to be conducted May 26

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites low-income residents to attend a resource event this week as part of National Community Action Month.

The Gateway Family YMCA will host a Housing/Homeless Services Open House from noon to 4 p.m. Thursday, May 26, at 135 Madison Ave. in Elizabeth.

Earlier this year, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders unanimously adopted a resolution declaring May as “National Community Action Month,” in recognition of Union County’s community-based social services agencies that work to help residents overcome poverty. Agencies throughout the nation hosted events during the month of May to assist low-income Americans.

The Union County Department of Human Services, in partnership with other community based social services agencies, provides safety-net services to thousands of residents with food; rent and other housing assistance; utility assistance; victims of domestic violence; emergency/disaster relief; financial literacy; emergency shelter nights; youth/family stabilization; counseling for alcohol, drug abuse, and other mental health issues; veterans assistance; assistance for the disabled; medical transportation; and workforce development training, job search and placement.

This year marks the 52nd anniversary of National Community Action. On Aug. 20, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Economic Opportunity Act (EOA) which created a variety of programs, including Community Action Agencies, as part of his administration’s War on Poverty. Currently, community action agencies cover 99 percent of America’s counties in suburban, rural and urban communities. It is estimated that each year, these agencies help 20 million low-income people achieve economic stability.

For more information about the May events, and services available for low-income individuals and families, contact Leslie Gutierrez, Union County Department of Human Services, Division of Planning, at 908-527-4861. For information about all other Human Services and Union County government services and programs, visit the Union County government website at www.ucnj.org.